MetLife Stadium is set to witness an electrifying NFC East showdown this Thursday night as the Dallas Cowboys take on the New York Giants. The Cowboys have had a string of recent victories over their divisional rivals, with commanding wins of 40-0 and 49-17 in their last season's encounters.
Recent Dominance and Winning Streaks
Currently riding a six-game winning streak against the Giants, the Cowboys are undoubtedly aiming to extend their dominance. Dallas has captured the NFC East division title in two of the last three seasons, showcasing their consistent prowess in the division. However, they are also looking to snap a two-game losing streak, an unusual hiccup for a team of their caliber.
Performance on the Road
The Cowboys have had a 5-5 away record since the start of 2023, making this game a critical one for them to improve their road performance. MetLife Stadium hasn't been a particularly tough venue for them, considering the Giants have a subpar 4-5 home record since the beginning of last season.
Dak Prescott's Impressive Numbers Against Giants
Quarterback Dak Prescott has been exceptional against the Giants, boasting a career passer rating of 101.6 in 13 starts. Prescott’s numbers further underline his effectiveness: he has completed 64% of his passes for 3,433 yards and 25 touchdowns, with just six interceptions against New York. This season, however, Prescott's performance has seen a dip, registering a passer rating of 85.8, having completed 60.7% of his attempts for 851 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Key Offensive Weapons
CeeDee Lamb has consistently been a standout player against the Giants, with 38 receptions for 529 yards and two touchdowns over six games. Last season, Lamb caught 11 passes for 151 yards in a pivotal November 12 game against New York. This level of performance makes him a prime target for Prescott once again.
Rookie Malik Nabers is also emerging as a key offensive weapon for Dallas this season. Leading the team with 23 receptions for 271 yards and three touchdowns, Nabers has shown his ability to make big plays. He has six receptions of 20 or more yards and 127 yards after the catch, converting 14 first downs—impressive numbers for a rookie.
Giants' Recent Form
The Giants are coming off an encouraging 21-15 victory over the Cleveland Browns. Their last home win against the Cowboys dates back to 2020, when they managed a narrow 23-19 victory. This game presents an opportunity for the Giants to break their home losing streak against Dallas and build on their recent success.
Wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson has been a reliable target for the Giants this season, securing 15 receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown. His longest reception this season is 20 yards, and he has gained 63 yards after the catch. In their recent win over Cleveland, Robinson had seven catches for 61 yards, underscoring his importance to the Giants’ offense.
Betting Landscape
The Cowboys are currently 5.5-point favorites heading into the showdown, and the over/under for total points scored is set at 45.5. While these numbers suggest a competitive game, the betting model has a strong track record, having earned well over $7,000 for $100 bettors on top-rated NFL picks. The model boasts a 188-130 record on top-rated picks, including a remarkable 42-22 streak since Week 7 of the 2022 season.
With stakes high for both teams, Thursday night's game at MetLife Stadium promises to be a thrilling clash that could significantly impact the trajectory of the NFC East this season. Fans will be watching closely to see if the Cowboys can continue their dominance or if the Giants will rise to the occasion and secure a much-needed victory.